LIQUOR LOBBY CLOUT

Re "Governor faces sticky decision," Oct. 3: The lobbyist for businesses
that sell bottled cocktails at gas station minimarts claimed that the
opponents of AB 417, authored by Assemblyman Greg Aghazarian, are promoting
a larger anti-alcohol agenda.

Must be the booze talking, because the Drug Policy Alliance - proponents of
medical marijuana and drug treatment alternatives to incarceration - are
hardly temperance ladies.

We oppose Aghazarian's bill because it didn't get a proper hearing in
health and safety committees. The liquor industry colluded with politicians
from both parties to rush a bill to the governor without public debate.

AB 417 may have a negative impact on rates of adolescent drinking, drunken
driving, sex, crime and violence; therefore, it should be properly debated
in health and safety committees. It should be vetoed on clean government
grounds alone!

James May, Sacramento

Media Associate, Drug Policy Alliance